Edible Estates. Someone had the same idea as me.

[Godiva]

They're called by various names but are water absorbing polymers. I usually see them at nurseries but they might be at some home garden centers.

[hyo silver]

Originally Posted by PriuStorm

...The one spot that's being watered is wet, and everything else is dry. What am I doing wrong?...

Maybe you could try a different head, like one with an adjustable fine spray pattern that would mist the whole surface equally. Actually, I've had the best luck watering from the bottom, though this becomes impractical with more than a few plants.

[SSimon]

PriuStorm,

Your soil may be hydrophobic due to various reasons. Sometimes mulch can create this environment. At least it has in my garden. There are numerous other reasons this could occur. Maybe try amending the soil in your pots with some soil from your yard or garden.

[Godiva]

Another community garden program.

For seven years, Harry Rhodes' Chicago-based non-profit, Growing Home, has provided jobs and training for the homeless, the previously incarcerated, and people with low incomes. At Growing Home's four farm sites, participants learn organic farming and produce marketing. They also acquire general job skills. Over 70% of them end up getting work.


"We now have our first year-round urban farm that we own, the Wood Street Urban Farm -- leading to a huge increase in interest in our work. When you can show a model of what an urban farm is and what can be replicated, people pay attention. Every week we give tours, with people coming from the Chicago area, from all over the country, and many coming from other countries.
"We have increased the number of people we train annually to about 30. This is just a drop in the bucket. Our mission has expanded from job training and organic agriculture to community and economic development.
"We are showing how urban farming can be used as the catalyst for turning around low-income neighborhoods, such as Englewood on the south side of Chicago."

[Godiva]

Edible Estates is mentioned in this month's (Sept. 2008) issue of Sunset Magazine. It's on page 16.

If you don't subscribe to this already, I highly recommend it.

There are 5 regions available to the west:

Southern California, which includes Hawaii
Northern California, which includes Nevada
Northwest, which includes Oregon, Washington and Idaho
Rocky Mountain, which includes Montana, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming
Southwest, which includes Arizona, New Mexico and the teenie, tiny southeast corner of Nevada.

Tripp: you would be Rocky Mountain issue

Sorry, SSimon, but they don't go any farther east. But if your climate is like any of the regions listed, you could use that.

I high recommend this. It is the first magazine I'd subscribe to as a homeowner and the last one I would give up. It has recipes, gardening, home renovations, decorating, vacation travel and reports on interesting products for home and garden. There is also a planting calendar for what to do in your yard each month. I also like the information on new plants that have come out for your area (hence the regions) and where you can get them.

[Godiva]

Slow Food Nation is having an event in San Francisco Labor Day weekend.

I wish they'd come to San Diego.

[cheeper]

We have a super Garlic Festival later in September. Can't wait!